| abstract |
A process is provided for recovery of oil from an oil and water bearing formation wherein spaced injection and production wells penetrate the formation and a drive fluid is injected through the injection well into the formation. A unidirectional electrical potential gradient is maintained between anode means in the production well and cathode means in the injection well adjacent the formation. In this manner, water flow toward the production well is retarded to enhance recovery efficiency. The process is particularly applicable in heavy-oil-bearing formations. In this case the formation is first preheated and heated drive fluids injected to improve the oil mobility within the formation. |